India‍‍`s education minister resigns amid nationwide student protests

India‍‍`s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday after weeks of nationwide protests over alleged leaks of competitive examination papers and demands for sweeping reforms to the country‍‍`s education system.

His resignation marks the Modi government‍‍`s first major concession since the protests erupted, with students and activists repeatedly calling for him to step down over the handling of the examination scandal.

The movement, led by the youth-driven "Cockroach movement", has grown into one of the biggest anti-government protests seen in India in recent years, drawing support from students, parents and civil society groups across the country.

Despite attempts by authorities to contain the demonstrations, protesters continued their campaign. 

Earlier this week, police used tear gas and batons to stop hundreds of demonstrators who were trying to march towards Parliament in New Delhi.

The controversy centres on allegations that question papers for several high-profile competitive examinations, including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), were leaked before candidates sat the tests. Protesters have accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of the examination system and have demanded accountability for those responsible.

The demonstrations were further intensified by hunger strikes and sit-ins organised by activists, including education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk, who became one of the movement‍‍`s most prominent faces.

The government has previously announced a series of measures to tighten security around public examinations, including plans for fast-track courts, stricter penalties for paper leaks and reforms at the National Testing Agency (NTA). 

However, protesters argued that those steps were insufficient without ministerial accountability.

Pradhan‍‍`s resignation comes amid mounting political pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi‍‍`s administration as public anger over the examination scandal continues to grow.